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Principally by deposing the reigning House of Romanov,the royal family which had ruled Russia since 1613, and replacing its autocratic monarchy with, first a republic, and then the Communist Dictatorship which lasted from 1917 until the fall of Communism in Russia (dissolution of the U.S.S.R.) in 1991. Since 1991 Russia has been governed as a Federal Republic.

The downfall of the Romanovs began in 1914 with the outbreak of World War 1. Russia was allied with, and bound to come to the defense of, Serbia, which had been attacked by the Austro-Hungarian Empire since a Serbian nationalist had assassinated the Austrian Crown Prince in Sarajevo. There was a huge tangle of alliances throughout Europe, but the main thing was that once the Austrians mobilized their troops to invade Serbia, the Russians had to mobilize, then the Germans and the French and the English and they all toppled like so many dominoes into what was first called The Great War (1914-1918).

Nicholas II of the House of Romanov was Tsar (Emperor, sometimes spelled Czar) of All The Russias at the time. Poor Nicholas hadn't ever really wanted to be Tsar at all, and when his father, Alexander III died of kidney disease when Nicholas was only 26, Nicholas reputedly said, "I do not want it. I am not a Tsar." But like all hereditary monarchs, he was Tsar whether he liked it or not. And even though he didn't like being Tsar, he wouldn't consider any constitutional reforms that might have saved his monarchy. Nicholas answered any sort of unrest with deadly force. Nicholas didn't know it, but he was becoming very unpopular.

Russian Tsars had, for centuries, been the most autocratic of all the Crowned Heads of Europe. Even Germany had a more constitutional monarchy in 1914 than did Russia. The Russian peasants supposedly adored the man they called their Little Father, and when the war broke out it was the Russian peasant's son who fought it. And died. And died. The Russian high command, with few exceptions, was incompetent, and Nicholas himself insisted on personally going to the front and taking command of the Armies, as he thought a Tsar should. This from the man who had once said, "I am not a Tsar." He also was no General!

The upshot was devastating chaos, terrible battle losses (the Russian Army was essentially annihilated at Tannenburg in 1914), general officers going off into the forest and shooting themselves, bread riots at home and finally the forced abdication of Tsar Nicholas and the declaration of a Republican government in March, 1917.

The problem was that the Republican government was hardly stronger than the Tsar had been, plus they wanted to continue the now-unpopular war with Germany. The result of that was that the Bolsheviks (Communists) usurped the Republican Revolution and took over the country in the October Revolution of 1917. They held Nicholas and his family hostage while civil war raged. Finally, when the Bolsheviks feared that the White Russian supporters of the Tsar were getting a little too close to rescuing him in 1918, the Bolsheviks shot the entire royal family, including all the children and their closest servants, in the basement of a house in what is now Yekaterinburg (Sverdlovsk during the Communist period). It's not clear if orders were actually given to shoot anyone, much less the children, but it gave the Communist government a world wide black eye as murderers of children which lasted pretty much until 1991.

After the downfall of Communism, the remains of the Tsar and his family were brought back to the ancient capital of the Tsars at St. Petersburg and reburied in the St. Catherine Chapel in the St. Peter and Paul Fortress where all the Tsars since Peter the Great lie. The entire family were named saints by the Orthodox Church. There are still surviving Romanovs, but an imperial restoration is highly unlikely. Most of us just hope that Republican government in Russia continues to thrive. Well over 70 years of Cold War with the Russians was quite enough for one century.

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Looking at the causes of the American Revolution of 1776 and the French Revolution of 1789 and the Russian Revolution of 1917 what conclusions can be made as to when a revolution is likely to occur?

When those in power are resistant to change. I would say the best answer is when there are social inequities -- perceived or actual.


How are the causes of the Russian Revolution of 1905 and the Russian Revolution of 1917 similar?

Both the Russian Revolution of 1905 and the Revolution of 1917 were driven by widespread discontent among the populace due to social, economic, and political grievances. In both instances, the autocratic rule of the Tsar faced opposition from workers, peasants, and intellectuals who demanded reforms and better living conditions. Additionally, military failures, particularly in wars, exacerbated public dissatisfaction and contributed to calls for change. Ultimately, both revolutions reflected a deep-seated desire for more democratic governance and social justice in a rapidly modernizing society.


Which social institution played a significant role in instigating social change during the civil rights movement?

the church


What was the revolution of 1905 called the dress rehearsal for the 1917 revolution?

The Revolution of 1905 is often referred to as the "dress rehearsal" for the 1917 Russian Revolution because it revealed deep-seated social and political discontent among the Russian populace. It exposed the weaknesses of the Tsarist regime and demonstrated the potential for mass mobilization against autocratic rule. While the 1905 uprising did not result in significant structural change, it set the stage for the more radical and successful revolution of 1917 by galvanizing revolutionary movements and providing lessons in organization and strategy.


How was maxim gorky involve in the Russian revolution?

Maxim Gorky was a prominent Russian writer and political activist who played a significant role in the Russian Revolution through his support for the Bolshevik cause. His works often highlighted the struggles of the working class and the need for social change, aligning with revolutionary ideals. Gorky also used his influence to advocate for political reform and was involved in organizing support for the revolutionaries. After the revolution, he initially supported the Bolshevik regime but later became critical of some of their policies, leading to his temporary exile.

Related Questions

Looking at the causes of the American Revolution of 1776 and the French Revolution of 1789 and the Russian Revolution of 1917 what conclusions can be made as to when a revolution is likely to occur?

When those in power are resistant to change. I would say the best answer is when there are social inequities -- perceived or actual.


What was Sheila fitzpatrick's view on the Russian revolution of 1917?

Sheila Fitzpatrick viewed the Russian Revolution of 1917 as a pivotal moment that fundamentally transformed Russian society and politics. She emphasized the revolution's role in creating a new social order and its impact on the lives of ordinary people. Fitzpatrick also highlighted the complexities of the revolution, including the contradictions within Bolshevik ideology and the challenges of implementing socialism in a predominantly agrarian society. Overall, she saw the revolution as both a moment of radical change and a process fraught with difficulties and tensions.


What was the Revolution of 1905 about?

The other name used for the revolution of 1905 is Viva La Resistance. This revolution occurred in Russia and lasted for just over 2 years.


How did world war 1 help bring about the Russian revolution?

in its immediate and long term effects, the Russian revolution was more like the French Revolution than the American revolution. the American revolution expanded English political ideas into a constitutional government that built on many existing structures. in contrast, both the Russian and french revolutions attempted to destroy existing social and political structures.


How did world war 1 bring about the Russian revolution?

in its immediate and long term effects, the Russian revolution was more like the French Revolution than the American revolution. the American revolution expanded English political ideas into a constitutional government that built on many existing structures. in contrast, both the Russian and french revolutions attempted to destroy existing social and political structures.


How are the causes of the Russian Revolution of 1905 and the Russian Revolution of 1917 similar?

Both the Russian Revolution of 1905 and the Revolution of 1917 were driven by widespread discontent among the populace due to social, economic, and political grievances. In both instances, the autocratic rule of the Tsar faced opposition from workers, peasants, and intellectuals who demanded reforms and better living conditions. Additionally, military failures, particularly in wars, exacerbated public dissatisfaction and contributed to calls for change. Ultimately, both revolutions reflected a deep-seated desire for more democratic governance and social justice in a rapidly modernizing society.


Which social institution played a significant role in instigating social change during the civil rights movement?

the church


What discovery or social change could be responsible for an emerging fifth social revolution?

Social media can be considered a fifth social revolution. Social media has changed the way people communicate and who they communicate with.


What was evident in the industrial revolution which brought social change?

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The American revolution led to the overthrow of british control over thirteen original colonies?

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How did world war 1 help to bring about the Russian?

in its immediate and long term effects, the Russian revolution was more like the French Revolution than the American revolution. the American revolution expanded English political ideas into a constitutional government that built on many existing structures. in contrast, both the Russian and french revolutions attempted to destroy existing social and political structures.


Whose works were influenced by the political events of his time and the Russian Revolution?

The works of Russian author Maxim Gorky were significantly influenced by the political events of his time, particularly the Russian Revolution of 1917. Gorky's writings often reflected the struggles of the proletariat and critiqued the social injustices of Tsarist Russia. His experiences with poverty and his commitment to social reform shaped his literary voice, making him a key figure in revolutionary literature. Gorky's works aimed to inspire change and convey the hopes and aspirations of the working class.